Upfront costs mean tidal power scheme unlikely to go ahead

Following many months of studies and investigations, a preferred scheme has been identified by a team commissioned by Peel Energy and The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) — a barrage across the river between New Ferry (Wirral) and Dingle (Liverpool).

It would be designed so that the turbines within the barrage would generate power in two ways — from ebb tides only as well as from ebb and flood tides; and from a range of water-level differences (operating heads) across the barrage. This choice of scheme would minimise effects on the Mersey’s protected inter-tidal habitats.

Multiple navigation locks would need to be included to accommodate large commercial ships and small leisure craft. Other facilities that could be included in the scheme include a visitor centre, a pedestrian/cycle path, a light public-transport link and a tidal-turbine research centre.

But the studies also found that the estimated £3.5bn upfront construction costs result in a cost of electricity that is not competitive in the current energy and capital markets.